How to Care for Alpaca Wool: 13 Ways to Keep It Looking New

When I first got my favorite alpaca wool scarf, I knew I wanted it to look as stunning years from now as it did the day I bought it. Alpaca wool isn’t just soft and luxurious... It’s incredibly strong and durable. 

With the right care, your sweaters, socks, scarves, and hats can stay looking fresh, vibrant, and practically new for a lifetime.

Air Alpaca Wool When Smelly

To keep alpaca woolen garments smelling fresh (like new, really!) all you need to do is air them. Alpaca wool is odor-resistant and will not absorb smells easily. When smells do get absorbed, airing will suffice to get rid of them. 

• The science behind it: Alpaca wool has a hollow fiber, and to protect its core it has small scales on the outside. These scales seal off the center and prevent smells from entering. And when smells do enter, the breathable fiber has this constant airflow that helps move smells out. Yes, this even applies to strong smells from perfume, smoke or cooking. 

So while the fiber will take care of smells by itself, you can speed up the process by airing the garments outside (or in a room with the windows open). 

Airing your alpaca wool outside lets fresh air flow through the fibers, carrying away trapped odors and replacing them with clean air, while mild sunlight and lower humidity help evaporate any moisture that might hold smells.

And oh, do I love the smell of fresh air! 

Steam Clean Alpaca Wool

Steaming is a gentle way to freshen alpaca wool without washing, which can risk felting or shrinking. You can use a steam iron or a clothes steamer, placing a cotton cloth between the steam and the garment to protect the fibers.

Steaming has several benefits:

• Eliminates odors
• Removes wrinkles
• Kills bacteria

Optional, but for extra freshness, you can add a light, wool-safe fabric spray if you want a subtle scent or extra deodorizing, but it should be:

1. Specifically made for wool or delicate fibers
2. Applied sparingly to avoid buildup
3. Used after steaming, not before, to prevent damp spots from causing felting

In most cases, a simple steam session plus airing will leave the garment fresh and ready to wear.

Wash Alpaca Garments Sparingly

While the alpaca fiber is known to be strong, washing it is actually one of the major causes of damage. Hot water, temperature changes, and friction are alpaca wool’s worst enemies and if you can protect alpaca wool from them, it will live happily ever after. 

Here’s the good news, though: besides being odor-repellent, alpaca wool is also stain-resistant, which means that it isn’t necessary to wash your garments frequently. 

As a rule of thumb, you should wash alpaca woolen garments at least once a year (before storing them over summer, for example) and more often if the garment is used for more intense purposes (like hiking gear). 

But honestly, pure alpaca wool needs far less washing than other fabrics—you’ll notice as soon as you own one. :)

Always Hand Wash Alpaca Wool

Washing alpaca wool often isn’t necessary, but when you do, always wash it by hand to protect the fibers.

Hand washing alpaca wool is the only appropriate way to wash your garment. Don’t wash alpaca wool on the “hand wash” program in your washing machine. It is too rough on the garment. 

The short version: 

1. Use a soft detergent, mild conditioner, or baby shampoo.
2. Soak the garment in cold or lukewarm water for 30 minutes.
3. Rinse thoroughly without rubbing or twisting.
4. Gently squeeze out excess water—never wring.
5. Dry flat between two towels to maintain shape and absorb moisture.
6. Avoid friction, temperature changes, and rubbing, which can permanently damage the fibers.

For the full instructions on how to wash alpaca woolen garments check out my other article: 

• How Do You Wash Alpaca Woolen Garments? 

Or watch my video in which I show you step-by-step how to wash an alpaca woolen item! 

Air-Dry Alpaca Wool and Dry Flat

Alpaca wool garments should always be air-dried rather than using a machine dryer. This gentle approach protects the fibers and helps maintain the garment’s softness and durability.

Air drying allows the fibers to dry naturally without exposure to high heat or mechanical stress. It preserves the wool’s strength, elasticity, and natural luster, ensuring the garment lasts longer and keeps them looking like new, too. 

You want to avoid drying alpaca wool in a dryer, because dryers create exactly the environment that damages the alpaca fiber. Dryers combine heat, friction, and tumbling, which can shrink or felt alpaca wool. They can also dull the fibers and weaken the garment, causing permanent damage that cannot be reversed.

So, what you do want to do is dry garments laying flat in their original shape rather than hung. Flat drying prevents the wet fibers from stretching under their own weight. Since alpaca fibers have poor memory when wet, drying flat keeps the garment in its proper size and shape.

Hanging a wet alpaca garment can pull the fibers downward, causing the garment to stretch, lose shape, or sag permanently. Once stretched, the fibers won’t fully return to their original form.

Bonus Tip 1: Use Towels

Place your garment on clean, absorbent towels while drying. The towels help draw out excess moisture without wringing and provide gentle support, preventing sagging or uneven drying.

Bonus Tip 2: Avoid Direct Heat

Avoid direct heat like heaters, fireplaces, or sunlight, which can make fibers brittle, dull, and prone to pilling.

Remove Stains from Alpaca Wool Manually

Alpaca wool is naturally stain-resistant, but if a spill occurs, act quickly to prevent permanent marks. Most stains can be wiped off before the liquid soaks in.

For larger or more stubborn stains, run the stained area under cold or lukewarm water. The fibers will gradually absorb the water, helping lift the stain without a full wash. Avoid rubbing, as this can stretch or damage the garment.

You can also blot gently with a paper towel to remove excess liquid. Quick action is key: the longer a stain sits, the more likely it is to penetrate the fibers. Blotting preserves the garment’s shape and avoids unnecessary washing.

Quick Tips for Removing Stains from Alpaca Wool

1. Act fast: Wipe off spills immediately to prevent absorption.
2. Blot, don’t rub: Use a paper towel to gently remove excess liquid.
3. Use cold or lukewarm water: Run the stained area under water to lift stubborn stains without a full wash.
4. Preserve fibers: Avoid rubbing or wringing, which can stretch or damage the garment.

For more ways to remove stains from alpaca woolen garments, check out my other article: 

• How Do You Remove Stains From an Alpaca Woolen Garment? 

Dry Clean Alpaca Wool Sparingly for Stubborn Stains

For stubborn stains that can’t be removed manually, dry cleaning is an option. Dry cleaning uses solvents instead of water, avoiding heat and friction that can damage wool.

If you choose this method, ensure the cleaner knows it’s 100% alpaca wool so they handle it correctly. However, use dry cleaning only when necessary:

• Solvents can be chemically harsh and harmful to the environment.
• Repeated dry cleaning can shorten the garment’s lifespan.

Whenever possible, stick to steaming or gentle spot-cleaning to keep your alpaca wool looking fresh longer.

Unwrinkle Alpaca Wool Using Steam

Alpaca wool is naturally smooth and elastic, so wrinkles are usually minimal. For more noticeable creases, the easiest way to remove them is with steam from a hot shower. (Great excuse to take an extra hot and long shower next time!) 

Hang your garment on a sturdy hanger in the bathroom while running a hot shower, then close the door to trap the steam. The warm vapor gently relaxes the fibers, helping the garment return to its natural shape without stretching or damaging it.

Minor wrinkles will often fall out simply by hanging the garment, but steam accelerates the process. In fact, alpaca is actually quite wrinkle-resistant. Alpaca wool stays mostly wrinkle-free because its fibers are smooth and stretchy. The fibers can bend and fold but then bounce back to their original shape, and the smooth surface doesn’t let creases stick. 

That’s why alpaca clothes look neat even after wearing or folding. For the occasional persistent wrinkle, you can also use a steam iron or clothes steamer, placing a cloth between the steam and the wool to protect the fibers.

For the full guide on unwrinkling alpaca woolen garments, check out the link to go to my article: 

• How Do You Remove Wrinkles From an Alpaca Woolen Garment? (coming soon!)
  

Remove Fuzz Balls from Alpaca Wool

Alpaca woolen garments are not very likely to pill thanks to the long and strong fiber texture. However, when a garment is exposed to a lot of friction, it is possible that fuzz balls will appear eventually. Blends are also more prone to pilling. 

Luckily, you can remove fuzz balls easily with a super simple razor! In fact, the simpler the razor, the safer it will be to use it to remove the fuzz balls safely.

Once you have your razor, follow these simple steps to remove the fuzzballs carefully: 

1. Identify the hair connecting the fuzz ball to the garment.
2. Place the razor gently against that hair.
3. Slide the razor along the direction of the fibers until the fuzz ball comes off.
4. Do not rub back and forth.
5. If needed, repeat the gentle motion rather than pressing harder.

I wrote a full article with a step-by-step guide on how to remove fuzz balls from alpaca woolen garments. 

• Check it out here: How Do You Remove Fuzz Balls From an Alpaca Woolen Garment?

Wash and Dry Alpaca Wool Before Storing

Storing alpaca woolen garments (over summer) requires the garment to be washed, dried and folded before placing it in an airtight container. Make sure the container does not have holes in them, and when you’re using a bag, make sure moths can’t bite through it. 

If you are going to put away your alpaca woolen garment for a few weeks, or even months, you have to make sure that the garment is really clean and dry before you hide it away. You should always wash alpaca woolen garments before storing them. 

To prevent mildew or mold, make sure that the garments are completely dry before storing them, as a wet and humid environment can cause alpaca woolen garments to get moldy. 

• For the full article (plus help tips and tricks!) about storing alpaca woolen garments, follow the link: How to Store an Alpaca Woolen Garment?

Fold the garments carefully to maintain their natural shape and avoid stretching or creases. 

Store Alpaca Wool Properly with Moth Protection

Did you know that even when you don’t wear your alpaca garment, it can get damaged while storing? Obviously, not due to wear and tear… But to MOTHS! 

Since alpaca wool is a delight for moths, you might want to think about adding natural moth repellents, such as cedar or lavender. This can really help protect the fibers. Natural repellents are usually strong enough to prevent moths from laying eggs in your garment… Plus, they smell better than most chemical ones. 

Finally, store them in a cool, dry, and dark area to preserve their softness, luster, and overall quality. When it comes to your storage option, you have some choices: 

Protect Alpaca Wool from Friction and Snags

Friction is one of the main factors that can make alpaca wool garments look worn over time. Rubbing against rough surfaces like bag straps, seat belts, or coarse fabrics, can cause pilling, fuzz balls, or localized thinning of the fibers. 

Even everyday movements, like leaning on a textured chair, can gradually wear the delicate fibers. Friction shows especially on high-contact areas such as elbows, underarms, and cuffs.

To keep your alpaca garments looking like new, be mindful of how and where you wear them. Avoid dragging or rubbing the fabric against abrasive materials, and consider layering with smoother fabrics underneath to reduce friction. 

• Needless to say, knitted garments are also prone to snagging and breaking, so be careful with sharp items (even the edges from your nails!) and zippers.